Which of the following requirements must be present to hear a sonic boom?

A) all of the listed answers

B) constructive interference

C) the doppler effect

D) The velocity of the airplane must be greater than the speed of sound

D) The velocity of the airplane must be greater than the speed of sound

Explanation:

Sonic boom is a phenomenon that occurs when an airplane travels ay a velocity greater than the speed of sound.

When this condition is met, the sound waves produced by the airplane (mainly from the engine) is not able to travel ahead of the plane, because the plane is moving at a greater speed than the sound itself; as a result, it is only transmitted behind the plane.

In this situation, a shock wave is produced. This shock wave is associated with a very loud "bang", that can be heard clearly even at several kilometers distance (in fact, supersonic planes are normally not allowed to fly over residential areas. In the past, for example the Concorde, was only allowerd to fly at supersonic speed over the ocean).

So the correct answer is

D) The velocity of the airplane must be greater than the speed of sound